Leicestershire Foxes must beat Notts to reach T20 quarter-finals

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Luke Ronchi of Leicesteshire sweeps the ball away for four runs during the NatWest T20 Blast match between the Northamptonshire Steelbacks and Leicestershire Foxes at The County Ground on August 11, 2017 in Northampton, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)

Leicestershire ensured they go into their final group match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on Friday knowing that a win will see them qualify for the quarter-finals.

The Foxes’ four-wicket win over Derbyshire on Thursday means that the Falcons must also win their final match, at home to Worcestershire, to be certain of going through to the knock-out stages for the first times since 2005 – although they will also qualify if Leicestershire are beaten by the Outlaws.

Put in on a slightly slow pitch, Derbyshire struggled from the start, scoring just 34 from the six over power play, and losing their three leading run-getters in reaching just 46.

First to go was Billy Godleman, the left-hander losing his leg stump to Gavin Griffiths bowling around the wicket, and Luis Reece quickly followed, caught and bowled off a leading edge by part-time off-spinner Aadil Ali.

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The key wicket, however, was that of Wayne Madsen, who went into the match having hit 457 runs in the competition this season, but had scored only 10 when he reverse-swept Ali straight into the hands of Callum Parkinson at backward point.

With wickets falling at the other end, opener Matt Critchley set his stall out to bat through, and did so successfully, going to a run-a-ball 50 with a six, and finishing on 72 off 60 balls as the Falcons hit 44 from the last four overs of their innings to post 139-7 and give their bowlers something to bowl at.

Leicestershire’s reply was a nervous one, although it should not have been after they were given their customary flying start by Luke Ronchi.

The former New Zealand international lost opening partner Cameron Delport to a fine diving catch by Madsen at backward point, but had hit 32 off 14 balls before he holed out to Alex Hughes at mid-on off Madsen.

Colin Ackermann was run out after a fine piece of fielding by Matt Henry, but Mark Cosgrove’s experience was vital as the Australian shepherded the Foxes home, reaching his 50 off 40 balls, and winning the match in the penultimate over with a four over midwicket.

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Leicestershire head coach Pierre de Bruyn said: “We’re over the moon. We knew we would probably have to win our last four games to qualify, and we’ve still got a chance of doing that – it’s not how you start a competition, it’s how you finish it that counts.

“We were very good in the field, and Aadil Ali isn’t really a part-time bowler, he’s worked really hard on his off-spin over the last year.

“Then Mark Cosgrove was outstanding, you need a calm head from a senior player in these sort of circumstances, and he controlled our innings.

“We know what we’re up against at Notts, but we have momentum, and they will know we are a dangerous side. It’s like a mini quarter-final for us.”